Bunk Beds

Two years ago when we moved back into our home after an extensive main floor renovation some of our furnishings were damaged. Neither my nor my oldest son’s bed frame made it back. Sadly, my husband and are still sleeping with our box spring on the floor, but we made sure to invest in a new bed for my son. Without a spare bedroom in our home we knew we needed to maximize the space in his room to accommodate overnight guests and possibly a room sharing arrangement with his younger brother when (and if) the time was right. Bunk beds were the logical choice.

We’ve never regretted the purchase, but there were a few unexpected surprises during the purchase and use.

3 Reasons to Purchase Bunk Beds

1. Space savings. The right bunk bed system will work in the smallest of rooms (and even those with a low ceiling). My son’s room is a teeny 8.5 x 12 feet. The ceiling height isn’t even 8 ft, but the bunk bed works.
2. Storage potential. We opted to add a trundle to our bunk bed and it was a brilliant decision. We opted to not purchase another mattress for the trundle for now. Instead, we have repurposed a crib mattress and use it for guests. The remainder of the trundle is used for book storage. Once my children and their overnight guests outgrow the crib mattress, we’ll need to invest in another mattress and find a different storage solution for books.
3. Fun. Straight up fact: bunk beds are fun. There’s a novelty to bunk beds that is a thrill for most children.

10 Things to Consider When Purchasing Bunk Beds

1. If you take your child to the furniture store to select a new bed, be prepared for conflicts of interest. Bunk beds come in a variety of shapes, sizes and setups. Your child is likely to gravitate to the exact opposite of what will work in your home, your style and your budget.
2. Making the bed on the top bunk is a pain in the ace.  Make sure you have a stool, or better yet, get your kids to do it.
3. You’ll need two of everything. Mattresses, sheets, pillows and blankets all need to be purchased in duplicate. Don’t forget to factor that into your budget.
4. Purchase a quality product. This is not the time to look for a bargin. Make sure the ladder is also solid as it will endure punishment from repeated use.
5. Add floor protectors to the ladder to avoid scratches to your floor or snags to your carpet.
6. Don’t question how much it is to deliver and install. It’s worth every penny.
7. Younger siblings may loose their mind because they don’t get to sleep on the top bunk.
8. Your houseguests might also argue about who gets to sleep on the top bunk. Have a game plan in place before assigning sleeping arrangements to avoid arguments.
9. It’s hard to read in the bottom bunk. This is trivial but I think it warrants a mention because reading has always been a part of our bedtime routine. Adding some wall sconces or a floor lamp is a good solution.
10. Follow all applicable guidelines when it comes to the safe use of bunk beds. Children under the age of 6 should not use the top bunk. Full details on all safe use guidelines can be found here.

Are you thinking about purchasing a bunk bed?

I’d love to know what type of bunk bed you plan on purchasing and where you plan to make your purchase.